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July Speaker Shannon Yates

Author: August 12, 2023

July Speaker Shannon Yates

At our July Post meeting one of our newer members, retired Army Major Shannon Yates, spoke to us about his experience as a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Yates graduated from West Point in 1990 and served in the middle east conflicts on several tours prior to his retirement. He now operates a small business here in Edmonds, located right across the alley from the Legion Hall.

To this old sailor, Yates makes West Point sound a lot like a four year boot camp, with extremely heavy academic loads all four years, along with the added responsibilities in the later years of supervising underclass cadets. From his description, our academy grads from all services receive not just a great education, but a leadership course that is probably not available in the civilian world.

July Speaker Shannon Yates

Current Issue, News

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July Business Meeting

Author: August 12, 2023

July Business Meeting
Dist 1 CommanderTerry Stenson

The Minutes from the June Meeting were read and approved. The Quartermaster’s report was reviewed and approved. The following expenditures were approved by the membership. $46.57 for Food$ 31.18 for beverages. The Relief Fund Committee Meeting was scheduled for 07/27/2023 at 5:30PM.

We are scheduled to participate at the Edmonds Community Fair on Sunday, 08/06/2023. The event takes place at the Edmonds/Woodway High School. We can use this as a recruiting event as well as a way to let the public know what we are about and what we do. Dist 1 Commander Terry Stenson District 1 Commander Terry Stenson gave us an update on what is going and what is planned at District.

The next District Meeting@ Post 2100 will be on 08/09/2023.

District 1 will have a Booth at the Evergreen State Fair. Attendance by our Post members will be counted as a recruiting event. The fair runs from 08-24-2023 to 08-29-2023 and from 08-31-2023 to 9-4-2023. We will announce more details at the next meeting.

All members can attend a Everett Aquasox game on 09-09-2023. We will provide more information at the next meeting. Our next meeting is scheduled for 08-16-2023.

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VFW Post 8870 Recruiting Event at Edmonds Community Fair

Author: August 12, 2023

Members of Edmonds VFW Post 8870 and American Legion Post 66 staffed a recruiting and information booth at the Edmonds Community Fair on Sunday, August 6, 2023. The event was held at the Edmonds-Woodway High School Football Field. We had 5 members staff a booth and handed out flags to children, membership forms to interested Veterans and talked to community members about military service of their family members. There was also a display from the Northwest Veterans Museum (NWVM) in Lynnwood, of uniforms and Military equipment. The event was rather sparsely attended, but we showed the flag and
promoted our Post.

VFW Post 8870 Recruiting Event at Edmonds Community Fair
VFW Post 8870 Recruiting Event at Edmonds Community Fair
VFW Post 8870 Recruiting Event at Edmonds Community Fair

Photos from left: Past Commanders Rose Gilliland and Mike Denton man the booth, accompanied by Linda Denton; Past Commander Carl Kurfess on duty and finally a selection of items from the museum provided by Kurfess.

Current Issue, News

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In Memoriam: James M. Traner, Past Post & District Commander Vietnam Veteran

Author: August 12, 2023

In Memoriam James M. Traner Past Post & District Commander Vietnam Veteran
In Memoriam James M. Traner Past Post & District Commander Vietnam Veteran

We lost our long time comrade and friend on July 22. Jim died of a sudden heart attack while, of all things, attempting to boat a large salmon. Jim was a 50 year VFW member and a key member of our leadership staff for many years. His organizational and accounting skills will be sorely missed.

From our resident cartoonist, Post Commander Duane Bowman, a tribute to Jim Traner

From the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans: (Addressed to Terry Traner & family)

From our resident cartoonist, Post Commander Duane Bowman, a tribute to Jim Traner

Please accept the condolences of the Troopers of the 11th Armored Cavalry’s veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. Jim was a dedicated and courageous warrior, and in a crucial time, became one of us, one of our own. He served honorably and faithfully with the Legendary Blackhorse Regiment in the Howitzer Battery of the 1st Squadron from August 1967 thru March 1969. Exhibiting daring and courageous acumen, he was in the fore front, as the regiment completed its mission throughout large areas of Vietnam. James Michael Traner’s name will be published in our newsletter, Thunder Run, acknowledged solemnly during the Memorial Service at our annual reunion, and be enrolled on the scroll with our honored dead. As grateful Americans, we pause and salute a brave man, a recipient of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry; he proudly honored our regiment. He wore the uniform, was willing to sacrifice, and even put his life on the line for his country, his family and his fellow man. Chaplain Bill Karabinos (11th ACVVC).

For a full Obituary of Jim‘s post service life visit www.beckstributecenter.com. (under Obituaries)

SGT James Traner Reporting as Ordered
From our resident cartoonist, Post Commander Duane Bowman, a tribute to Jim Traner

Current Issue, In Memoriam, News

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Attention Seahawks Fans! Post “Honor & Remember” Raffle Planned

Author: August 12, 2023

Attention Seahawks Fans! Post "Honor & Remember" Raffle Planned

VFW Post 8870′ s resident artist, USMC Vietnam vet Mike Reagan has once again made a valuable piece available for a raffle, which we will hold at the Post Holiday party on December 16. The Post and Mike, with his ” Fallen Heroes Project” have worked together in a variety of way over the years. Mike has now exceeded 8,000 portraits of fallen heroes since his “retirement”.

Raffle tickets will be available in September for sale to post members, friends and family at $ 10 each. 500 tickets will be available for a total potential return of$ 5,000 to the post.

Tickets must be sold by individual Post members, in accordance with Washington State law. There is certainly no reason we cannot all promote the raffle on our various social media and we will seek publicity support from our local press.

Current Issue, News

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Where are our Sisters?

Author: August 12, 2023

Looking over our newsletter email list, we are reminded that among the members we do not often see at our monthly post meetings are most of our female members!

Our sisters have all qualified for their membership with the same service requirements as their brothers and are entitled to participate fully. We want all of our comrades to join our meetings and activities and have no doubt that the women among us have much to contribute to our efforts to recognize and support all veterans.

Post meetings are being held regularly on the third Wednesday of each month. Other activities are announced in the monthly newsletter and via email from the Commander.

We would love to see all of you next month and every month!

Current Issue, News

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Announcing a new Dept. of Washington ‘Scout of the Year’ Award

Author: August 12, 2023

The Department of Washington Veterans of Foreign Wars, at their 2021 State Convention, instituted a new Washington State Scout of the Year Award to recognize and honor any Scout in any Scouting Program of any rank and any age in Washington State.

History: For many years, the VFW has sponsored an annual financial scholarship award which any Scout, in the Boy Scouting program who has achieved the Eagle Award or the Quartermaster Award or the Venture Summit Award or Girl Scout who has achieved the Gold Award may apply. The Scout applies to their local VFW Post, which passes their single candidate on to the next organizational level, the district level. Each District passes a single candidate on to State level. The State winner is sent on for National VFW selection by May 1. The National VFW is continuing the program without the financial scholarship. Washington State winners will continue to receive; 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $300, and 3rd Place $200.

Current Issue, News

District 1 Recruiting Event Slated at Evergreen State Fair

Author: August 12, 2023

(Repeating item first reported in July)

District 1 Recruiting Event Slated at Evergreen State Fair

For the second year in a row, VFW District 1 will be holding a recruiting drive at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. Beginning on August 24 and running until September 4, District 1 Post members will have the opportunity to recruit new Comrades at the fair.

There are four available slots each day; 10 AM to 3:30 pm, 3:30 to 9 PM with a 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM shift to augment the busiest part of the day. Members can also sign up for a float shift to help cover the busy time and still be flexible.
Each Post should plan to have members participate. you can sign up for a shift at this signup genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B094BACAA29A2F58-evergreen

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News from VFW National

Author: August 12, 2023

Action Alert: Support Major Richard Star Act Amendment

Tell your Senator to support adoption of the Major Richard Star Act NDAA amendment

Jul 19, 2023

Background

Reform to military retirement pay and disability compensation policy is long overdue. Many of our nation’s combat-disabled veterans are prohibited by Congress from receiving their full earned Department of Defense retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs service-connected disability compensation.

Over 50,000 retirees with combat-related disabilities must forfeit every dollar of retirement pay for every dollar they receive in disability compensation. o veteran should have to choose between two fundamentally different benefits that they earned for two entirely different reasons. This offset must be eliminated. Our combat veterans have already sacrificed enough.

Current Issue, News

In Memoriam

Author: December 28, 2021

General Colin Powell 1937-2021 

In Memoriam

He once said of himself, “Powell is a problem-solver. He was taught as a soldier to solve problems. So he has views, but he’s not an ideologue. He has passion, but he’s not a fanatic. He’s first and foremost a problem-solver.” 

Powell, who grew up in New York City, the son of Jamaican immigrants, served in the Army for 35 years. He was a man of many firsts: He was the first Black national security adviser, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State. 

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